Jeremy Atkins has been a consultant for the Nashville Hub since 2020 and has primarily served as a web designer and a facilitator for professional learning on Project Based Learning. Jeremy is also in his 18th year with Metro Nashville Public Schools, having served as a classroom teacher and Instructional Designer. In his current role as Instructional Designer, Jeremy supports teachers in integrating technology best practices within their instruction along with creating and facilitating professional learning. Jeremy believes life is connected. He believes the human connection, the affect it has on us, and the affect we have on it, is inescapable. He is determined to embrace this impact that he has on the world around him and serve rather than self-promote, excel rather than excuse, and practice not pretend. Jeremy leads by doing his very best--no matter the task or position--and brings as many people with him as he can.
Angela Bailey brings 33 years of experience in education, with 17 years dedicated to the career academy model within the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System. She has served as an academy coach, professional development lead, curriculum principal, academy principal, and executive principal, with administrative experience in
both elementary and secondary settings. Currently, Angela supports the Academies of Nashville in a 120-day retiree position, drawing on her experience to sustain, support, and continue to strengthen the systemic structures and transformational leadership in MNPS.
Allie Bateman is an independent consultant who specializes in the career academy model. She began as a school counselor in Metro Nashville Public Schools and spent five years as the Director of Community Relations for Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL). As a school counselor at Hillsboro High School, Allie worked with the counseling team to achieve Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) status, led a team to implement the first International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) in the state of Tennessee, and was a member of the inaugural Metro Nashville District School Counseling Leadership Team. In her role with Ford NGL, Allie was the program manager for the Ford NGL Roadmap, supported the Ford NGL Coaches, trained new team members, managed multi-year contracts and invoicing, and streamlined operations organization-wide through developing and implementing processes and technology solutions. Allie recently added full-stack web development skills to her toolkit and is working with organizations in the United States and United Kingdom to transform education.
Jason Bihler is currently an instructional designer in theMNPS’s Learning Technology Department. He works to support the shift to morepersonalized, blended, and project-based learning opportunities. Anaward-winning teacher, he is dedicated to creating innovative classrooms thatblend technology into teaching/learning, foster connections withcolleagues/students, and encourage higher levels of learning.
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As Vice President of Alignment Nashville, Heather oversees AN Operations, Human Resources and National Initiatives, including the Alignment USA Network and the Nashville Hub. She has previously served Alignment Nashville in the roles of Vice President of Operations and Associate Director. Heather is a graduate of Belmont University and joined Alignment Nashville in 2012 after having worked in children’s health for over twelve years. Her background and experience includes non-profit management, medical practice management, volunteer management and collective impact consulting and coaching.
Jeremiah Davis began his educational career as a CTE (Career and Technical Education) Criminal Justice teacher. He became the Academy Team Lead as well as the CTE Lead for his school. As the Team Lead, his academy was awarded Model Status during the first NCAC review. Jeremiah also conducted TN DoE training with all new Criminal Justice teachers in Tennessee to ensure they had the best start possible to help students excel. He became the Dean of Students and then an Academy Principal where he worked with his academies to earn Model Status during each reaccreditation. He transitioned to an executive principal and currently serves various stakeholders as a CTE Coordinator.
Brittany Edmondson, J.D., Ed.S., M.Ed., has worked to educate, inspire, empower, and advocate for the better part of her career. Edmondson did not leave law behind, rather in 2015 she chose to bring the expertise and networks to a provide more impact to an area most needed, Education. Attacking the dire state of equity and access in education, she ensures that students gain valuable exposure and experiences to catapult students on a path to success. Edmondson realized early that in order to position our students to be competitive in college and career, instruction must immerse them in the content through skills, activities, sustained inquiry, and most importantly connectedness. She is convicted by the reality that Early Post-Secondary Opportunities are the most important avenue to establish equity for our students. In her role as Academy Coach, Brittany has created several new partnership Memorandums of Understanding to create pipelines leading directly into the workforce while matriculating in high school and directly after secondary graduation. She focuses on offering stackable credentials through industry certifications, scholarship pipelines to college and professional schools, and lends a grassroots analysis to data and research used to develop programming for students. Brittany has been recognized by the District, her peers, the Middle Tennessee Community, and the State of Tennessee for her contributions to the advancement of urban and marginalized students and as a leader in Education. Edmondson has contributed to career and technical (CTE) curriculum development and program modifications, facilitated and served on panels across the Country developing leaders, educators, and pushing in on the intersection of social emotional and CTE to support students. She boasts a plethora of meaningful certifications, professional development and training hours, and professional services and affiliations in education, non- profit, law, leadership, and government. Edmondson received a Bachelor of Arts in English/Political Science from the True-Blue Middle Tennessee State University. She earned her Education Specialist and Master of Education with emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction and Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. Brittany received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Nashville School of Law. She works in purpose with the support of her husband of 15 years and their four children.
Donna has spent her entire professional career working in and supporting career academies as a teacher, school leader and district administrator. Donna believes “if you can’t see it, you can’t be it” applies to students and adults alike and wants to open doors of opportunity for both. Donna recently retired as the Director of the Academies of Nashville and is currently serving as a community coach for Ford NGL and a trainer for the Nashville Hub to continue her passion with CTE and career academies work.
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Jacob Glancy has 12 years of experience in education and currently serves as Dean of Students and Lead Administrator for the Future Ready Institute (an academy) at Red Bank High School in Chattanooga, TN. Prior to his move to Chattanooga, he worked at McGavock High School, where he taught English 4 (inclusion, Honors, and standard), English 2, Senior Capstone, and Shakespeare Studies while also serving as a team leader in the Academy of Aviation of Transportation–-a two-time model status career academy according to the National Career Academy Coalition. In July of 2016, Jacob transitioned into the role of Academy Coach for McGavock. He has a B.A. in English and Political Science (University of Tennessee), an M.A. in Teaching (Belmont University), and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (University of Tennessee). His hobbies include going to concerts and spending time with his wife and two children.
Ceteka Gooch started her career in education in 2003 at John Overton High School. She is a second-generation educator and works for the district that educated her. Ceteka spent most of her career in high school where she served as a math teacher and Numeracy Coach for MNPS. She has experienced the Academy model as a teacher and a mentor to teachers she supported. She currently serves as a Learning Technology Specialist where she supports teachers with incorporating technology best practices in the classroom. Her hobbies include listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and three children.
Bio Coming Soon!
Dr. Heather Ihde is a district Experiential Learning Coordinator for the Department of STEAM & Science in Metro Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee. As such, she is responsible for organizing two academic field trips or experiences for all students at 36 district designated STEAM Schools and serves as the liaison between the schools and the community partners. Dr. Ihde previously served as a district instructional coach for three years, a building level dean of instruction for three years, and a high school teacher for twelve years. Dr. Ihde completed a doctorate in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change at Lipscomb University, in Nashville, Tennessee. She received master’s degree from Arkansas State University and bachelor’s from Harding University, also in Arkansas. Dr. Ihde is passionate about Project Based Learning and enjoys working with teachers and administrators across the country and the world on PBL.
Melissa came to Alignment Nashville in 2005 after serving as Director of Grant Development at Nashville State Community College for six years, where she worked to secure several federally funded grants from the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Education, and other sources. She also served as Nashville State’s Director of Development, raising private funds for the institution and working with the Nashville State Foundation. Previously, Melissa was Director of Marketing at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tennessee, and Account Manager at Fletcher& Rowley Political Consulting. Melissa holds a BA in Political Science from Western Kentucky University.
Hailing from Music City USA, Thommye’ Kelley is a third-generation educator who has a passion for helping students discover success! She currently serves as the Academy Coach at Glencliff High School within Metro Nashville Public Schools. Starting her career in the Academy structure, Thommye’ has completely bought into the Academy Model.
Prior to her role as Academy Coach, she served at Whites Creek High School as a social studies teacher, teaching U.S. History, African American History, Personal Finance, and Economics. After her first year of teaching, she transitioned into the Academy Team Lead role for the Academy of Alternative Energy, Sustainability, and Logistics. Serving in that role for two years, in 2018 she accepted the role of Academy Coach at Glencliff High School.
In her time at Glencliff, she has implemented a schoolwide experiential learning day, transformed the new student experience, created a resource website for business partners, and successfully led three academies through the NCAC Accreditation process—receiving Model Status and Model Status with Distinction.
Dr. Kelley holds a Doctorate of Education from Lipscomb University, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Tennessee State University. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Bio coming soon!
Denise King has been an educator for over 18 years, with experience that includes classroom teacher in both high school and middle school, Dean of Instruction and Academy Coach. She has been a Hub Consultant since 2023.
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Courtney Morgan is the Program Manager of the Academies of Nashville for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. She is responsible for creating and implementing the AON marketing and communications plan, and planning events throughout the year, including the largest student event in the school district, the Career Exploration Fair. She also contributes to the strategic planning for the Academies and is involved in the daily implementation at the district level. Courtney comes from Texas but has been involved in Nashville's education and nonprofit community for her entire career. She graduated with a B.S. and M.Ed. in Child Studies from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College in Nashville, TN. When she isn't working, she can be found spending time with her Doberman, Axel.
Amber Nelson has been a High School Counselor with MNPS since 2010. She served as Health
Sciences & Law Academy Counselor at McGavock High School for four years and has been the
Health Sciences Academy Counselor at John Overton High School since 2014. She joined the
Nashville HUB as a trainer in 2024. Prior to coming to Nashville, Amber earned her Bachelor of
Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa and her Master of Arts
degree in Education; K-12 School Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa. Amber has
a passion for helping high school students reach their graduation goals and plan beyond,
regardless of barriers they may need help pushing through. Outside of the school setting,
Amber enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and two sons.
Dr. Shuler Pelham brings 27 years of dedicated experience to the field of education, with a distinguished 16-year tenure as an Executive Principal in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. He has expertly guided two high schools through the comprehensive implementation of Academy models.
From 2008 to 2015, Pelham served as the Executive Principal of John Overton High School, known for its exceptional diversity with students representing over 60 countries and speaking more than 40 languages. Under his leadership, Overton High School achieved full wall-to-wall Academy implementation, with all academies earning model status.
Between 2015 and 2024, Pelham continued his impactful work at Hillsboro High School, advancing it from partial to full Academy implementation, including the establishment of the first Academy centered around an International Baccalaureate Program.
Pelham's leadership has been honored by the prestigious Field Award from the University of Tennessee and the MNPS Principal of the Year award. He has mentored aspiring administrators through the Lipscomb Ayers Institute and facilitated Academy Study Tours, hosting hundreds of educators. His schools have garnered multiple awards for partner engagement, academic achievement, and adherence to the Academy model.
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Jill Petty has been an educator for over 20 years. She has taught English both at the middle and high school levels. Jill was a classroom teacher when Nashville first brought the academy model to the high schools. She has served as an Academy team leader, English department lead, literacy coach/school-based professional development provider, district level English Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator, and currently as the Director of Secondary Literacy for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. Jill was the first person in MNPS to become a Project Based Learning capacity-buliding trainer. In her various roles in education, she had lead and continues to lead professional learning at the school level, district level, and national level. Most recently, Jill became a certified Gallup Strengths-Finder coach.
Deanna Privette has been a Nashville Hub Consultant since 2017, bringing awealth of experience and passion for education to her work. She has facilitatedprofessional learning on Project-Based Learning (PBL), InterdisciplinaryTeaming for Academies, Interdisciplinary Planning, Team Leadership, Teaching onthe Block, and Teaching through the Lens.
With a career in education spanning back to 1994, Deanna spent 15 years as adedicated high school science teacher. As a classroom teacher when the academymodel was first implemented in Metro Nashville Public Schools, she gainedfirsthand experience in innovative teaching methodologies. Beyond theclassroom, she has served as a school-based and district instructional coach,as well as a Coordinator of a U.S. Department of Education STEM grant, with herwork contributing to published research in What Works Clearinghouse.
In her current role as a coordinator in the STEAM and Science Department forMetro Nashville Public Schools, Deanna provides professional learning andsupport to K-12 teachers across the district. As an educational consultant, shethrives on empowering educators with the tools and strategies that have alasting impact on both teachers and students.
Whitney Schulze serves as the Coordinator for School Counseling and Advising at the Metro Nashville Public Schools Support Hub, where she partners with middle and high school counselors to implement comprehensive, data-driven counseling programs. Throughout her career in education, she has led professional development on topics such as student support team development, educator self-care strategies, youth coping skills, and effective data collection techniques for school counselors.
A National Certified Counselor (NCC), Mrs. Schulze earned her M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University. Starting on a U.S. military base in Germany, her career has spanned a variety of cultural settings worldwide. She is deeply passionate about fostering student success in academics, social-emotional growth, and college and career readiness.
Outside of work, she enjoys watching comedies, reading fantasy novels, and spending time with her husband, their son and daughter, and the family’s two dogs.
Bio Coming Soon!
Sally Spear is an academy coach at John Overton High School in Nashville, Tennessee where she facilitates experiential learning, manages community partnerships, and assists in the implementation of early postsecondary opportunities at the school. Prior to serving in this role, she was a CTE Engineering teacher and served as her academy lead where she focused on teaching through the lens of the academy, planning student interventions, and implementing the academy structure. Sally joined the Nashville HUB as a trainer in 2021 where she has worked with academy coaches and academy leads. In her personal time, you will find Sally doing anything she can outdoors, especially gardening, or spending time with her husband and son.
Laura Vignon serves as the Dean of Instruction for all content areas at McGavock High School, serving over one hundred and twenty teachers in Metro Nashville Public Schools (TN). Prior to her role as an instructional coach and dean, Laura gained fourteen years of experience in the classroom teaching standard, honors, and Advanced Placement courses in U.S. History, World History, Government, and Leadership. Her experience includes two years as an instructional coach and thirteen years as an AVID Teacher and Coordinator for her school. Laura is a Level 5 teacher in the MNPS school system, earning her several awards and recognitions including MNPS Academy Teacher of the Year for the CMT Academy of Digital Design and Communication, McGavock High School Teacher of the Year, and is a two-time Nashville Public Education Foundation and MNPS Blue Ribbon winner.
Laura serves on several leadership teams, including the school leadership team and the AVID Leadership team. For five years, she served as the Social Studies Department head at her school, as well as Professional Development data chair on the school data team. At the district level, she is a founding member on the AVID District team, and continues to hold that role. Laura served as the MNPS Social Studies Council lead for two years, helping bring social studies teachers from all grade levels together to impact curriculum. Additionally, Laura served as a Mentor teacher in MNPS at the district level, while also mentoring eight different student teachers throughout her career.
Laura is Co-Founder and President of CollegeLeaps, a startup geared towards providing equitable access to college for all students. She is a national AVID Staff Developer, modeling best practices in AVID and collaborating with educators around the country. Laura was among Nashville's first Demonstration School teachers and now partners to run a similar program at the school level. As a facilitator, Laura presents multiple times a year for both the school and district. Her recent workshops include Socratic Seminar, Historical Simulations, Flipped Classroom, Backwards Unit Planning, Intentional Instructional Strategies, WICOR for Engagement, Focused Note Taking, and Collaboration Strategies for all Contents.
Carrie Whittaker has served as a consultant for the Nashville Hub since 2016. She has facilitated professional learning on Freshman Seminar, Project Based Learning, Interdisciplinary Teaming for Academies, Team Leader and Teaching on the Block. Carrie is also in her 20th year with Metro Nashville Public Schools, having been a secondary classroom teacher, instructional coach, district lead coach, coordinator of instructional projects, learning technology specialist. Starting in July of 2020, Carrie transitioned into the role of Coordinator of Instructional Design. She supports teachers in integrating technology best practices within their instruction along with creating and facilitating professional learning. She is also a member of the Learning Forward Academy. Her hobbies include traveling, watching the Memphis Tigers, horseback riding, farming and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Mary York is a veteran educator in Metro Nashville Public Schools. She started her career as an educator in the classroom teaching English, English Language Learners, and AVID. Since 2012 years, Mary has served in the role of Academy Coach at John Overton High School, Hillwood High School and the newest MNPS high school, James Lawson High School. In the role of academy coach, Mary oversees several initiatives including experiential learning, academy partnerships, academy teaming, and EPSO’s. During her time as academy coach, Mary has garnered multiple recognitions such as Academy Coach of the Year (2016), Partner Choice Award (2020), and Academy Innovator of the Year (2022).
